Toothbrush Sterilization Assembly

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush sterilization assembly includes a housing that may contain a plurality of toothbrushes. A handle is coupled to the door and the handle may be manipulated. The handle is positioned on the outer surface. A sterilization unit is coupled to the housing and the sterilization unit may sterilize the toothbrushes when the toothbrushes are positioned within the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to sterilization devices and more particularlypertains to a new sterilization device for sterilizing toothbrushes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a housing that may contain a plurality oftoothbrushes. A handle is coupled to the door and the handle may bemanipulated. The handle is positioned on the outer surface. Asterilization unit is coupled to the housing and the sterilization unitmay sterilize the toothbrushes when the toothbrushes are positionedwithin the housing.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a toothbrush sterilization assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 of anembodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through5 thereof, a new sterilization device embodying the principles andconcepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated bythe reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the toothbrush sterilizationassembly 10 generally comprises a housing 12 that may contain aplurality of toothbrushes 14. The housing 12 has a top wall 16, a bottomwall 18 and a peripheral wall 20 extending between the top wall 16 andthe bottom wall 18. The top wall 16 has a top surface 22 and a bottomsurface 24. The bottom wall 18 has an upper surface 26 and a lowersurface 28. The lower surface 28 may abut a support surface 30.

The peripheral wall 20 is curved such that the housing 12 has acylindrical shape. The peripheral wall 20 has an opening 32 extendingtherethrough to access an interior of the housing 12. The opening 32extends substantially between the top wall 16 and the bottom wall 18.The opening 32 extends substantially along the peripheral wall 20 andthe opening 32 has a first bounding edge 34.

A door 36 is hingedly coupled to the housing 12 such that the door 36selectively closes the housing 12. The door 36 has a first lateral edge38 and an outer surface 40. The first lateral edge 38 is hingedlycoupled to the first bounding edge 34 of the opening 32. The door 36 ispositionable in an open position to access the interior of the housing12. The door 36 is positionable in a closed position such that the door36 completely covers the opening 32. The door 36 is co-arcuate with theperipheral wall 20 of the housing 12. A handle 42 is coupled to the door36 and the handle 38 may be manipulated. The handle 42 is positioned onthe outer surface 40 of the door 36.

A sterilization unit 44 is coupled to the housing 12 and thesterilization unit 44 sterilizes the toothbrushes 14 when thetoothbrushes 14 are positioned within the housing 12. The sterilizationunit 44 comprises a first bearing 46 that is coupled to the bottomsurface 24 of the top wall 16. The first bearing 46 is centrallypositioned on the bottom surface 24. A second bearing 48 is coupled tothe upper surface 26 of the bottom wall 18 and the second bearing 48 iscentrally positioned on the upper surface 26.

A shaft 50 extends between the first bearing 46 and the second bearing48 such that the shaft 50 is rotatable about a line extending throughthe first bearing 46 and the second bearing 48. A plurality of clips 52is provided and each of the clips 52 has a rear surface 54 and a pair ofends 56. The rear surface 54 of each of the clips 52 is curved such thatthe ends 56 corresponding to each of the clips 52 is directed towardeach other. Thus, each of the clips 52 may frictionally engage anassociated one of the toothbrushes 14.

The rear surface 54 of each of the clips 52 is coupled to the shaft 50.The clips 52 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed aroundthe shaft 50. Each of the clips 52 is positioned closer to the firstbearing 46 than the second bearing 48. Thus, a head 58 of each of thetoothbrushes 14 is positioned proximate the top wall 16.

A plurality of light emitters 60 is provided and each of the lightemitters 60 is coupled to the bottom surface 24 of the top wall 16. Eachof the light emitters 60 emits ultraviolet light onto the head 58 ofeach of the toothbrushes 14. Thus, each of the light emitters 60 maysterilize the toothbrushes 14. Each of the light emitters 60 emits UV-Clight at a wavelength ranging between approximately two hundred fifty nmand two hundred sixty nm.

The light emitters 60 are spaced apart from each other and aredistributed around the first bearing 46. Each of the light emitters 60includes a pair of mounts 62 and each of the mounts 62 is attached toand extends downwardly from the bottom surface 24 of the top wall 16.Each of the light emitters 60 extends between an associated pair of themounts 62. Thus, each of the light emitters 60 is spaced from the bottomsurface 24.

A control 64 is coupled to the top surface 22 of the top wall 16. Thecontrol 64 has a plurality of buttons 66 thereon such that each of theplurality of buttons 66 may be manipulated. The plurality of buttons 66may include a plurality of light emitter buttons 68 that are eachassigned to an associated one of the light emitters 60. The plurality ofbuttons 66 may additionally include a power button 70. The control 64 iselectrically coupled to each of the light emitters 60 such that thecontrol 64 turns the light emitters 60 on and off.

A power supply 72 is coupled to the housing 12 and the power supply 70is electrically coupled to the control 64. The power supply 70 comprisesa cord 73 extending outwardly from the peripheral wall 20. The cord 73has a distal end 74 with respect to the peripheral wall 20 and thedistal end 74 has a plug 76 that is electrically coupled thereto. Theplug 76 may be electrically coupled to a power source 78 and the powersource 78 may comprise an electrical outlet or the like.

In use, the door 36 is positioned in the open position. The shaft 50 ismanually rotated and the toothbrushes 14 are positioned in selected onesof the clips 52. The door 36 is positioned in the closed position andthe power button 70 is manipulated. Selected ones of the light emitterbuttons 68 may be manipulated to turn off the associated light emitter60 if one of more of the clips 52 does not have a toothbrush 14positioned therein. The power button 70 is manipulated after a selectedduration of time to turn the light emitters 60 off. The selectedduration of time is at least fifteen minutes.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

1. A toothbrush sterilization assembly comprising: a housing beingconfigured to contain a plurality of toothbrushes, said housing has atop wall and a bottom wall, said top wall having a bottom surface, saidbottom wall having an upper surface; a door being hingedly coupled tosaid housing such that said door selectively closes said housing; ahandle being coupled to said door wherein said handle is configured tobe manipulated, said handle being positioned on an outer surface of saiddoor; and a sterilization unit being coupled to said housing whereinsaid sterilization unit is configured to sterilize the toothbrushes whenthe toothbrushes are positioned within said housing, said sterilizationunit comprising a first bearing being coupled to said bottom surface ofsaid top wall, said first bearing being centrally positioned on saidbottom surface, a second bearing being coupled to said upper surface ofsaid bottom wall, said second bearing being centrally positioned on saidupper surface, and a shaft extending between said first bearing and saidsecond bearing, said shaft having opposite ends respectively insertedinto and surrounded by said first bearing and said second bearing suchthat said shaft is freely rotatable about a line extending through saidfirst bearing and said second bearing.
 2. The assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said housing has a top wall, a bottom wall and aperipheral wall extending between said top wall and said bottom wall,said top wall having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottomwall having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lower surfacebeing configured to abut a support surface, said peripheral wall beingcurved such that said housing has a cylindrical shape.
 3. The assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein said peripheral wall having an openingextending therethrough to access an interior of said housing, saidopening extending substantially between said top wall and said bottomwall, said opening extending substantially along said peripheral wall,said opening having a first bounding edge.
 4. The assembly according toclaim 3, further comprising said door having a first lateral edge, saidfirst lateral edge being hingedly coupled to said first bounding edge ofsaid opening, said door being positionable in an open position to accesssaid interior of said housing, said door being positionable in a closedposition such that said door completely covers said opening, said doorbeing co-arcuate with said peripheral wall of said housing. 5.(canceled)
 6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidsterilization unit further comprises a plurality of clips, each of saidclips having a rear surface and a pair of ends, said rear surface ofeach of said clips being curved such that said ends corresponding toeach of said clips is directed toward each other wherein each of saidclips is configured to frictionally engage an associated one of thetoothbrushes.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said rearsurface of each of said clips being coupled to said shaft, said clipsbeing spaced apart from each other and being distributed around saidshaft, each of said clips being positioned closer to said first bearingthan said second bearing thereby facilitating a head of each of thetoothbrushes to be positioned proximate said top wall.
 8. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said sterilization unit further comprisesa plurality of light emitters, each of said light emitters being coupledto said bottom surface of said top wall wherein each of said lightemitters is configured to emit ultraviolet light onto the head of eachof the toothbrushes thereby facilitating each of said light emitters tosterilize the toothbrushes, said light emitters being spaced apart fromeach other and distributed around said first bearing.
 9. The assemblyaccording to claim 8, wherein each of said light emitters includes apair of mounts, each of said mounts being attached to said bottomsurface, each of said light emitters extending between an associatedpair of said mounts such that each of said light emitters is spaced fromsaid bottom surface.
 10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:said top wall has a top surface; a plurality of light emitters; and saidsterilization unit further comprises a control being coupled to said topsurface of said top wall, said control having a plurality of buttonsthereon wherein each of said plurality of buttons is configured to bemanipulated, said control being electrically coupled to each of saidlight emitters such that said control turns said light emitters on andoff.
 11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein: said housing has aperipheral wall; and said sterilization unit further comprises a powersupply being coupled to said housing, said power supply beingelectrically coupled to said control, said power supply comprising acord extending outwardly from said peripheral wall, said cord having adistal end with respect to said peripheral wall, said distal end havinga plug being electrically coupled thereto, said plug being configured tobe electrically coupled to a power source.
 12. A toothbrushsterilization assembly comprising: a housing being configured to containa plurality of toothbrushes, said housing having a top wall, a bottomwall and a peripheral wall extending between said top wall and saidbottom wall, said top wall having a top surface and a bottom surface,said bottom wall having an upper surface and a lower surface, said lowersurface being configured to abut a support surface, said peripheral wallbeing curved such that said housing has a cylindrical shape, saidperipheral wall having an opening extending therethrough to access aninterior of said housing, said opening extending substantially betweensaid top wall and said bottom wall, said opening extending substantiallyalong said peripheral wall, said opening having a first bounding edge; adoor being hingedly coupled to said housing such that said doorselectively closes said housing, said door having a first lateral edgeand an outer surface, said first lateral edge being hingedly coupled tosaid first bounding edge of said opening, said door being positionablein an open position to access said interior of said housing, said doorbeing positionable in a closed position such that said door completelycovers said opening, said door being co-arcuate with said peripheralwall of said housing; a handle being coupled to said door wherein saidhandle is configured to be manipulated, said handle being positioned onsaid outer surface; and a sterilization unit being coupled to saidhousing wherein said sterilization unit is configured to sterilize thetoothbrushes when the toothbrushes are positioned within said housing,said sterilization unit comprising: a first bearing being coupled tosaid bottom surface of said top wall, said first bearing being centrallypositioned on said bottom surface, a second bearing being coupled tosaid upper surface of said bottom wall, said second bearing beingcentrally positioned on said upper surface, a shaft extending betweensaid first bearing and said second bearing, said shaft having oppositeends respectively inserted into and surrounded by said first bearing andsaid second bearing such that said shaft is freely rotatable about aline extending through said first bearing and said second bearing, aplurality of clips, each of said clips having a rear surface and a pairof ends, said rear surface of each of said clips being curved such thatsaid ends corresponding to each of said clips is directed toward eachother wherein each of said clips is configured to frictionally engage anassociated one of the toothbrushes, said rear surface of each of saidclips being coupled to said shaft, said clips being spaced apart fromeach other and being distributed around said shaft, each of said clipsbeing positioned closer to said first bearing than said second bearingthereby facilitating a head of each of the toothbrushes to be positionedproximate said top wall, a plurality of light emitters, each of saidlight emitters being coupled to said bottom surface of said top wallwherein each of said light emitters is configured to emit ultravioletlight onto the head of each of the toothbrushes thereby facilitatingeach of said light emitters to sterilize the toothbrushes, said lightemitters being spaced apart from each other and distributed around saidfirst bearing, each of said light emitters including a pair of mounts,each of said mounts being attached to said bottom surface, each of saidlight emitters extending between an associated pair of said mounts suchthat each of said light emitters is spaced from said bottom surface, acontrol being coupled to said top surface of said top wall, said controlhaving a plurality of buttons thereon wherein each of said plurality ofbuttons is configured to be manipulated, said control being electricallycoupled to each of said light emitters such that said control turns saidlight emitters on and off, and a power supply being coupled to saidhousing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said control,said power supply comprising a cord extending outwardly from saidperipheral wall, said cord having a distal end with respect to saidperipheral wall, said distal end having a plug being electricallycoupled thereto, said plug being configured to be electrically coupledto a power source.